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'Simply Mexican'
Recipes by Lourdes Castro
Photos by Lucy Schaeffer
Ten Speed Press -- 2009
Buy it on Amazon

A back to basics cookbook for South of the Border fare, "Simple Mexican" demystifies Mexican meals and recipes so anyone, especially new cooks, can make them at home. Delicious recipes like Chile-Glazed Pork Chops with Fresh Tomatillo Sauce, Red Mole Chicken with Chorizo and Rice Pudding call for ingredients that are widely used throughout the entire book and commonly found in grocery stores.

Takeaway tips: Mexican food isn't just refried beans, rice and heavy cheesy dishes. Castro showcases genuine recipes that aren't difficult to prepare and don't have readers searching for rare ingredients. For each recipe, there are "Cooking Notes" that break down ingredients, serving suggestions, techniques and, when necessary, advanced preparation.

See what we tested and find out whether the book's worth buying after the jump.